Or, more specifically, by the fact six of the 11 goals Forest have conceded so far have stemmed from set-piece situations.

At Hillsborough on Saturday, Sheffield Wednesday’s decisive second goal; the one that changed the course of the match just as the Reds were starting to dominate, came from the head of Steven Fletcher from a corner.

It was one that Warburton quite rightly described as "soft" as four or five Forest defenders in the vicinity of the Owls’ frontman, failed to prevent him from connecting with what was almost a free header.

“You just have to talk to your players. It can depend on your personnel, as well. Because you can add height or lose height, depending on the players you have out on the pitch. You can gain or lose physicality. You have to be prepared to use different options.

“We saw the Swansea v Newcastle game, a nip-and-tuck Premier League encounter that was decided by one good delivery and one well timed run (and a goal from former Forest man Jamaal Lascelles). That is the nature of it. For all your good play, for all your desire to play through the thirds… whatever you do, at the end of the day, goals change games.

“The games are so tight. Jason Cummings has one cleared off the line at Hillsborough, Ben Brereton fires in that cross and Jason was not offside with the one that was given – it was not. The margins are so fine.”

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Those small margins, without doubt, went against Forest on Saturday, as Cummings had that effort cleared off the line before Forest’s lapse in concentration when it comes to marking, cost them that decisive goal – and any prospect of three points.

When it comes to ensuring those fine margins fall in your favour, Warburton says hard work is the only solution.

“We say to the players that the margins are like this. From 15th place to fifth can be decided by small margins. You work hard every single day to make sure that one percent margin goes your way. Preparation is key,” he said.

“We might have gone home with three points on Saturday, had key moments gone our way. Look at Millwall, we came out of that with three points, when in truth we could have conceded four or five.

“At Barnsley we could have scored six or seven, but we ended up losing 2-1. These are the fine margins I am talking about.

“These are the games in which you have to find a solution. If the game is going against you, keep the ball and try to start to dominate. Take the sting out of it.

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Before the last two games – and those defeats against Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday – Forest were on the crest of a wave, following a positive start to the campaign.

But they are far from the only side in the division to have had a few downs, to go with their ups.

“It is symptomatic of the league. You are seeing it throughout the division. One week a team will win 3-0, the next week they are being beaten. It is a demanding league and if you are slightly below your best, you will pay the price,” said Warburton.

“We will prepare for Sunderland and we will practice constantly. We work on it constantly. Sometimes you can concede a spate of goals when free-kicks go in, it is just the nature of the game.

“We have to improve in that area. Six of the 11 goals we have conceded have been from set-pieces and we have to improve. We know that.”

Warburton hints there may be changes made to his squad at Sunderland, as Forest look to contend with the demands of a hectic schedule.

But, while Forest’s injured players continue to make progress, none will return to face the Black Cats.

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“Maybe we might (make changes),” he said. “You have to use your squad. It is trying to look ahead, to look at what suits individual players and the squad. But the priority is always the next game. You pick the best team for the next fixture, you hopefully get it right and pick up three points, then you start again from there.

“Jamie Ward and David Vaughan are back out on the grass – and Matty Cash is out of his (protective) boot and back out running as well.

“Jamie and Matty are ahead of schedule, David has had a few niggles with his injury. But he is now back on the grass and running, he is not too far away now.”

There was a time, in the not too distant past at Forest, where opposition clubs knew that if they came to the City Ground and frustrated the home side for the first 20 minutes, the mood could quickly change on the banks of the Trent.

As Forest head to face a Sunderland side who have not won at the Stadium of Light since beating Watford in December last year, the importance of a bright start for Forest there has undoubted significance, for similar reasons.

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“Our job is to go there and keep them quiet. But we recognise the quality they have and the challenge they will pose.”

Sunderland boss Simon Grayson

Sunderland boss Simon Grayson has admitted there could be a confidence issue within his squad, when it comes to performing on home soil. But Warburton says Forest will be taking nothing for granted.

“Whatever Simon says about his team, is for him and Sunderland. Simon will prepare his team very well, because he is an experienced manager and he will be making sure that they prepare well,” said Warburton.

“They need and want a result, but when doesn’t a team? Every single point is valuable in this division. Look at last season – two goals were the difference for us.

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“We hope that we have a far better season, but every point will still be critical and we will fight for every one we can get.”

Whether they chose to man mark, go zonal or adopt a blend of the two, Forest will need to defend more efficiently, if they are to ensure Sunderland’s search for three points continues beyond Tuesday evening.